written to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "written to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the action of writing a piece of text to a specific recipient. For example, "I sent a letter written to my parents".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inside was written: To Grandma.

Independent

Hundreds of people have written to me.

The New York Times

I've written to lots of writers.

The New York Times - Books

Thousands have written to Congress demanding action.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was written to treat everybody fairly".

The New York Times

Have you ever written to an author?

The New York Times - Books

We were not written to be safe.

The New Yorker

Who has O'Brien written to?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She has written to him several times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She has not written to Ramsden since.

The New Yorker

Was this article written to elicit sympathy?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "written to", ensure the context clearly indicates the recipient or purpose of the writing. For example, "The letter was written to the editor" is more precise than "The letter was written."

Common error

Avoid using "written to" in a way that obscures who performed the writing action. For instance, instead of "It was written to be understood easily", specify "The guide was written to be understood easily by beginners".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "written to" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating the target or recipient of a written communication. Ludwig provides examples where it shows intent, direction, or purpose in writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "written to" is a versatile and commonly used construct that specifies the intended recipient or purpose of a written piece. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. It finds its place in varied registers, from formal scientific papers to informal communication, with frequent use in Science and News & Media contexts. To ensure clarity, specify the recipient or the goal of the writing when using "written to". While interchangeable with phrases like "addressed to" or "intended for", it's important to select the best fit based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended for

Focuses on the purpose or target of the written material.

addressed to

Indicates the intended recipient of a written communication, focusing on direction.

aimed at

Implies a specific goal or objective that the writing seeks to achieve.

directed at

Indicates the target or focus of the written communication.

composed for

Highlights the act of creating written content for a specific audience or purpose.

created for

Emphasizes the act of generating written content for a particular reason or audience.

drafted for

Emphasizes the preliminary nature of the writing and its intention for a particular use.

penned for

Highlights the act of writing with a specific recipient or purpose in mind, using a more literary tone.

sent to

Focuses on the act of transmitting written information to a recipient.

dispatched to

Implies sending the written content to a particular recipient. More formal than "sent to".

FAQs

How to use "written to" in a sentence?

Use "written to" to indicate the intended recipient or purpose of a written piece. For example, "The email was "written to" the team lead" or "The code was "written to" solve a specific problem".

What can I say instead of "written to"?

You can use alternatives like "addressed to", "intended for", or "composed for" depending on the context. For example, "The letter was addressed to the manager" instead of "The letter was "written to" the manager".

Which is correct, "written to" or "written for"?

"Written to" indicates the recipient of the writing, while "written for" indicates the intended audience or purpose. For example, a letter is "written to" a person, but it's "written to" inform.

What's the difference between "written to" and "sent to"?

"Written to" emphasizes the act of composing a message for a specific recipient, while "sent to" emphasizes the act of transmitting the message. You can send something that wasn't necessarily "written to" that recipient specifically.